Diamonds in the Rough

Pick up any business publication, and you'll be treated to corporate leaders doing great (or bad) works. Some come out better than others. The business press loves to fawn over whoever is in vogue or next in line.

But what about the emerging class, or digging deeper, next generation leaders? Sorry Fortune, execs. right next to power don't constitute 'emerging' in the modern sense.

Chances are the next gen. group will never adorn cover stories or recruiters' short lists. Yet if change in the Over-Abundance Age is real, which it is, then isn't it time for this class to be heard?

There's only one slight problem. Very few inside the complex -- boards, advisors or the existing rulers themselves -- have enough courage to act collectively on what's right under their noses. And why should they? Executive salaries and bonuses are granted no matter what. No reward, financial or otherwise, is large enough to justify the risk of doing something new. Therein lies the rub. Without any change or incentive to try a different path -- or vice versa, penalty for not doing so -- everyone can expect the same old outcome.

Those trying to lead within a industry with over-abundant product -- cars, money, books/magazines, lumber, soda water, labor, etc. -- would be wise to consider more diverse sources of leadership. These diamonds in the rough could be the key to unlocking whatever value remains.